President Bill Clinton begins the Lesley University 2012-2013 Boston Speakers Series

President Bill Clinton, Founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States, inaugurated the 2012-2013 Boston Speakers Series sponsored by Lesley University last night in historic Boston Symphony Hall.

After a warm introduction by Lesley University President Joseph B. Moore, Clinton entered the stage to a standing ovation and praised Lesley’s leading role in teacher education, lauding the far-reaching impact and importance of training excellent teachers who benefit individual students’ futures and bolster the future of our nation and economy.

President Clinton presented an inspiring speech to a full house, capturing the conflict and inequality that plague the world, while demonstrating a vast breadth of knowledge and making a rousing case for global citizenship and cooperation.

President Clinton discussed his foundation’s efforts to improve life’s opportunities for people across the globe in the areas of health, education, and employment. He presented the audience with compelling data, stories, analysis and a self-deprecating sense of humor.

His lecture was followed by a thought-provoking, thirty minute question-and-answer session with President Moore, during which President Clinton adeptly, and with great detail, fielded topics ranging from conflict in the Middle East to the biggest threats that our democracy faces in the coming years. President Clinton received another standing ovation from the audience.

“It was a privilege to represent Lesley University and to engage with President Clinton on such a range of compelling topics on the stage of Symphony Hall. We are honored to sponsor this year’s Boston Speakers Series, and thrilled that President Clinton was able to open such an outstanding lineup of activists, authors and world leaders,” said Lesley University President Joseph B. Moore. “The speakers series echoes the foundation of a Lesley University education by presenting speakers with broad perspectives, deep experience and a scholarly focus that inspire us to examine critical issues, challenge conventional thinking, and frame new ideas. Lesley University presents seven speakers in this year’s series to engage with the Greater Boston community and highlight a diverse range of contemporary issues.”

“This was a tremendous opportunity for Lesley University to bring President Clinton to Boston to commence this illuminating series,” said Deborah Schwartz Raizes (’69), Chair of Lesley University’s Board of Trustees. “Our graduates are lifelong learners who believe in the importance of engaged citizenship, freedom of expression and scholarship, and our partnership with the Boston Speakers Series is a wonderful celebration of that tradition at Lesley.”

Following President Clinton, the series will feature best-selling author Jeanette Walls; journalist Lisa Ling; 21st-century warfare expert P.W. Singer; co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility Erskine Bowles; former president of Mexico Vicente Fox and Andes Mountain crash survivor Nando Parrado.

To learn more and see the full schedule of speakers for the Boston Speakers Series, click here.